There are plenty of good things to consider

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Many people are down in the dumps about this season, but I think there are a few things to consider that concern the potential beyond this year in the not so distant future...but first, let's look to the past

In 2001:

-We had drafted a Rookie QB that people were constantly unsure about that played pretty damn bad, a young black QB never used, and a crappy non-starter named Matt Lytle (easily one of the worst QB situations in the league that year)

-We had drafted a new D-lineman, Wide Receiver, Safety and Linebacker that showed sparks, but we were still unsure of them somewhat...but knew there was plenty of potential

-The rest of the draft was pretty blah

-We had old veterans still starting with the likes of Wesley Walls, Kevin Donnally, Buckner, Sean Gilbert, Todd Steussie (god I hated him) & Doug Evans who as a group didn't have many years left

-Mike Minter, Moose, & Muhammad were still relatively young and showed signs of a core for the team

-We still fought hard in games with a coach that was a deaf mute zombie about 7 years away from his Super Bowl run on the sidelines

-We all pretty much knew we were getting a new coach the following season by the mid-way point, or maybe sooner

-Gettis, LaFell, Hardy, Goodson, and even players like Pugh have all showed sparks at some point this year. Play has been inconsistent, but the team is in a state of flux so its expected. There is plenty of potential with this group.

-Clausen may be a bust, we may not know yet, but so what? There's plenty of other opportunities in the coming year to grab new potentially starting quality QBs. This time, it may be taking a risk at another young QB rather than going into a Peete/Delhomme situation

-John Fox is 7 years removed from our Super Bowl run

-We are younger and have a bigger core in my opinion than 2001 who have shown tons more potential with a group that has a lot of years left and can only get better beyond this craptastic season

-We know we'll have a new coach with a new attitude next season (If there is one)

Now I know 2001 comparisons are somewhat abundant here but lighten up, its almost near the end of the season. Root for the team, remain sane, and know being great isn't that far away especially with the parody of the NFL

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Funny no one mentions Charles Johnson as one of the stars this year. He is on pace for double digit sacks based on his last 4 games and has 50 tackles to boot. He is 1.5 sacks behind the leaders in sack among DEs, a half sack better than Peppers and only 1/2 sack behind guys like Suh and Freeney who get all the press.

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We've actually got our #2, # 3 and # 4 on the roster. If we don't get Luck, get Green. If we don't get Green get one of the 12 FA #1's up for grabs next year.

O Line:

Get a quality RT and kick Otah inside. Use current RG's for the 4-6 games Otah does not play.

OR

Kick Gross to the Right, Otah inside and pick up a quality LT out of FA. Easier said than done.

RB:

Clearly an area of high need.

D Line:

A pass rushing DT is all that's needed. We'd have to look for a good FA or a Lewis like reclamation project. I think we throw bodies at it till we can grab someone with our first in 2012. A pass rush specialist DE would help too, but Hardy could develop into that role.

CB:

We've got our replacements. Only depth is needed. Unless we change out of the Tampa 2, not an area of major concern.

S:

Godfrey will develop into a "no worse than Chris Harris" player, but Pugh is a likely replacement in a Tampa 2 with Godfrey coming into running situations. He may end up being a utility player to fill in at any DB spot.

LB:

Seems fine to me.

None of this is more than 2 good drafts away, especially with our team being so young.

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Funny no one mentions Charles Johnson as one of the stars this year. He is on pace for double digit sacks based on his last 4 games and has 50 tackles to boot. He is 1.5 sacks behind the leaders in sack among DEs, a half sack better than Peppers and only 1/2 sack behind guys like Suh and Freeney who get all the press.

did that take 10 or 15 seconds to find out?

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Funny no one mentions Charles Johnson as one of the stars this year. He is on pace for double digit sacks based on his last 4 games and has 50 tackles to boot. He is 1.5 sacks behind the leaders in sack among DEs, a half sack better than Peppers and only 1/2 sack behind guys like Suh and Freeney who get all the press.

We've mentioned him. There was a good conversation not to long ago (forgot what thread) where pretty much everyone agreed he's part of our core